Shipment feedback » Page 5

Morocco: Investing in a Community

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

In the mountainous region outside Casablanca lies the village of Zaouit Irs. There are just two off-road tracks that connect Zaouit Irs and its 250 inhabitants to the rest of the world, and these are often thrown into disrepair following bad weather or heavy rain. The villagers have faced a number of difficulties in recent years, and over half now have to make the arduous journey to Casablanca every day just to find a chance of employment. A lack of development and education opportunities in the village has also meant children as young as 12 are leaving school to join their relatives in pursuing work in the city.

The people of Zaouit Irs are aware of these challenges, and they have been proactive in addressing them. In 2011 the villagers formed an association to develop their home, to protect their local environment, and to celebrate their local culture and language. This association, who are now our partners in Morocco, have big plans for strengthening their community. The shipment that they received from Crossroads is helping to see some of those plans become reality.

“We felt really happy and appreciative to receive this generous shipment from the other side of the world. It made us feel so lucky, and deeply touched by the human spirit” – Association Head

(Above 1st pic) Members of the village association come together to unload and sort the shipment after its arrival in Casablanca. (Above 2nd pic) Packed and ready to go, the first delivery of goods prepares to set off for Zaouit Irs.

 

One of the association’s next big goals is to expand the village school with a new classroom, allowing more students to join lessons and encouraging the current students to pursue their education further. There are also efforts to develop the local community facilities, to allow the better celebration of festivals and cultural events.

Members of the community gather to see new educational materials distributed to the village school.

The shipment that we sent has been instrumental in seeing these plans carried out:
  • New classroom furniture has now replaced the worn out desks, and will soon fill the second classroom as well.
  • Audio equipment has provided the means to enrich village events and celebrations.
  • Computers have allowed the introduction of ICT classes.
  • Stationery and learning materials have saved local families money they could not have afforded to spare.

If purchased locally the goods received in this shipment would have cost the village US$8000, an almost impossible amount for this small community. Now however, they have a solid foundation on which they can continue to build their strength and develop their community.

FURTHER FEEDBACK PHOTOS:

“Now, our village school is an example of a great educational environment, we have even been asked by other village associations about the process and how we benefited from this generous shipment”

Reference No. : S3416 

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Cameroon: Empowerment through Education

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

“Our centre attends to almost 2,500 persons a year. These are the people who are directly impacted and we have an average of 60 visits a day before now when many people of our region have escaped the civil unrest,” write Crossroads’ partners in Cameroon.

Our partner NGO’s work caters for orphans and vulnerable children, and the wellbeing of individuals needing rehabilitation therapy. They operate in a town of around 5,000, but their patients come from many miles away to access their facilities, because services are so scarce. Some have been disabled by diseases like polio and complications from HIV, some others sought help in traditional medicines that went wrong, and caused disabilities. A shipment from Crossroads has contributed to supporting their projects as they seek to improve and expand their services.

“In short we cannot afford a lot of things so the shipment acts as a starting point for us and hopefully we will continue with the care and provision!”  – NGO director

(Above) A human chain unloads the precious cargo

We look forward to hearing more stories of the impact of these goods as they are installed, distributed, and put to use creating opportunities for vulnerable children and youth and the disabled in Cameroon.

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN’S HOME

A group of children and staff from a children’s home housing more than 40 children benefited from the shipment goods. Donations of blankets, milk, shoes and dolls were distributed to this home and many other children’s home within the community our NGO operates.

“Many more orphanages were given the milk for their children. Unfortunately we could not take pictures in all circumstances!” – NGO staff

“The prices of calipers, crutches, prosthesis and other appliances are not cheap”, wrote our partner who runs a physiotherapy center to support individuals who are recovering from physical injuries or disabilities. “The most significant impact of receiving this shipment is the fact that the centre can carry on its activities on patients without the constant worry of needing to find funds to buy machines and keep the place alive.”

(Above 1st) Our team of volunteers in Hong Kong loading one of the pieces of gym equipment which is now installed in a local physiotherapy center in Cameroon. (Above 2nd) One of the staff at the physiotherapy Centre tests the treadmill upon arrival.

FURTHER IMPACT:

  • Each television screen can allow 260 students to see class presentations and screening of academic videos.
  • Gym equipment saved approximately US$3,500 from their budget
  • Beneficiaries impacted directly: about 3000
  • Beneficiaries impacted indirectly: about 10,000

(Above pics) A group of men and women supported by our partner NGO try out some of the shoes that were part of the shipment. The work boots will allow them to work safely and more effectively.

Reference No. :  S4741

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Cameroon: Community Development

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

Our NGO partner’s work includes supporting and providing help for all the educational needs of children of the most vulnerable farmers in this area of Cameroon, who struggle to provide for their families. They aim to support the growth and development of social amenities such as schools, clinics and hospitals in their community. Their director told us:

“Your support will undoubtedly play a key role in our success in improving the social conditions of our members and communities structures like schools and other small community based organizations.” – NGO director

When our shipment arrived, there was much excitement! Through the massive donations of goods they were able to expand their work beyond the community and targeted group they often support. Social centres such as orphanages, rehabilitation centres, prisons, church groups and other individuals benefited from the shipment with a total of 5,000 people impacted directly by the goods.

(Above) NGO staff assemble office furniture received from the shipment.

 

(Above) Children from the orphanage are thrilled with their gifts.

SUPPORT FOR A FAMILY AT HOME

 It is common in rural homes for children not to have a proper place to do their homework, which affects their interest in studying after school. The Ngonganong family received some child-size furniture for their children.

“The table and chairs are helping my children as they use it for reading, and doing their assignments and homework from school. I am sure to pass to another family in the future when my children have grown past the age to use the table and chairs,” said Mr. Ngonganong.

This is just one family whose children have benefited. Others have received clothing and bedding. Children in the orphanage and local school have new books, and many children in the local community received toys and stationery.

Our NGO partners support orphans and vulnerable children. From the goods received in the shipment, they were able to support a children’s home in their community that provides education.

Reference No. :  S4672

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Zambia: Supporting Development for Women and Children

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

Zambia is a nation that struggles with widespread poverty, particularly in rural areas. Roughly 60% of the population live below the international poverty line and more than a third of people are classified as ‘extremely poor’. The effect of this, and the overwhelming reliance on small-scale subsistence farming, means that food security across the country is weak, with around 350,000 people lacking access to a regular food supply. Perpetuating these challenges is an insufficient education system and a lack of opportunity for employment, particularly for women.

With a specific focus on supporting development for women and children, our NGO partners in the region run a number of projects that touch on issues of education, health, and job creation. Their work includes:

  • A child care programme to support orphans and vulnerable children;
  • A micro-loan scheme to finance business opportunities for women and young adults;
  • A medical provision service to equip local clinics;
  • And a youth health service to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and to improve sexual health education.

“Had it not been for this shipment students would have been sitting on the floor, but now we can provide a conducive environment in which children and adults can learn” ­– NGO Director

(Above 1st) A class at a community school gets to work enjoying their new desks and chairs. (Above 2nd) A knitting class takes place as part of our partners’ vocational skills course, using tables donated in this shipment.

(Above) Bicycles and other goods are offloaded after arriving with our partners.

Thanks to this shipment, our partners have been able to expand and improve their operations in the region, allowing their guidance and support to touch many more lives. The classroom equipment and computers that were donated have saved them US$12,540, money which had been allocated to the purchase of school supplies, but which can now be used to grow new projects. Furthermore, the improved facilities have allowed them to take on an additional 200 orphans and vulnerable children in grades one to six, and to establish an IT class in which 150 young people have already enrolled.

This shipment has made it possible for our partners to maintain their wide and inclusive reach. The goods that they received will continue to provide a benefit to generations of students going forward, having already impacted an estimated 800 people directly. We, our partners, and the beneficiaries of these goods, are all grateful for your continued support.

PHOTOS OF THE GOODS IN USE

“The shipment has really helped to change the situation at our school. We received classroom tables and chairs, computers and other assorted humanitarian goods which have helped not only the organization but also the people we serve in the community” – NGO Director

“Many people have benefited from this shipment including women’s clubs who also received support through the donation of clothes”  – NGO Director

Reference No. :  S4635

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Ghana: Education for Change

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

Offuman is an area in Ghana where poverty has meant that many people were never able to receive a proper education. Local communities have traditionally been dependent on agriculture and there has been little opportunity for people to pursue other goals or talents. Parents are aware of this, and they want to send their children to school so that they can access better opportunities in the future. But poverty remains a problem, and many families are lacking even basic necessities, therefore they cannot afford to do this without support.

Our local NGO partners in Ghana are an educational charity whose goal is to develop the leadership, skills and opportunities for young people to build up their communities. Their target is to help people break the cycle of poverty through education, in the hope that each child who is educated in the community will help others to learn the confidence and skills to build their own road to success. Through their schooling programmes, our partners are trying to create autonomy and community-directed practices that will lead to a sustainable future for many generations to come.

“We received enough boxes of books to build a small library within our technical training college. These books are a fantastic addition to our collection and this will be Offuman’s first and only library!” – NGO Director

(Above 1st) The first students enrolled in our partners’ new sewing workshop prepare for their classes to begin. (Above 2nd) A local principal and one of his students gratefully receive the donation of computers to their school.

(Above) One of the local families who received a donation of clothes from this shipment gathers outside their home.

The goods that our partners received in this shipment have made a significant impact on their work and have provided a real benefit to local communities in Ghana. Here just a few examples of how they have been put to use:

  • Clothing has been provided to families in need, and new jackets and professional attire have been donated to the teaching staff in local schools
  • Stationery and books have been distributed between local primary and secondary schools, improving classroom standards and education quality
  • Sewing machines have been put to use in our partners’ technical college as part of a skills workshop programme
  • Toys and games have rejuvenated nursery and child care organisations across Offuman
  • Computers have allowed the introduction of IT classes in local secondary schools

Our partners estimate that this shipment has had a direct beneficial impact on 3000 people in the local community already, and this will only increase as the goods continue to provide a service for years to come.

FURTHER IMPACT

(Above 1st) The class leader for the new sewing workshop poses for a photo before her first class. (Above 2nd) New desks and chairs are in place and ready for students at our partners’ college. (Above 3rd) School staff benefited from professional clothing from the shipment.

 

(Above 2nd) Students from a local high school gather to receive goods donated to their classrooms. 

 

Toys and desks are unloaded upon arrival, ready for distribution.

Reference No. :  S4456

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Liberia: Youth Empowerment and Job Creation

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

Liberia endured a brutal civil war in the 1990s, which saw around 250,000 people killed and many thousands more become refugees. Although the country is now enjoying renewed peace and stability, the effects of the recent conflict are still being severely felt. Liberia is ranked just 181 out of 189 in the 2018 Human Development Index with around 84% of its population living below the international poverty line of US$1.25 per day. Furthermore, a lack of educational facilities, and poor access to those that do exist, also means that there are few opportunities for young people to gain the skills which could help them break the poverty cycle.

Our NGO partners in Liberia are committed to improving the lives of the country’s youth through education, training, and empowerment. For the last decade they have been working tirelessly on a number of projects that are designed to provide young people with the skills and opportunities they need to fulfil their potentials. As well as directly supporting schools across their region, our partners also run specifically targeted programmes such as IT and entrepreneurship classes for young women, street libraries providing access to materials and books in impoverished areas, and youth media schemes to develop journalism and reporting skills.

“Due to the goods from this shipment, we saved an estimated US$20,000! With our new skills centre nearly completed, this shipment has allowed us to begin new training programmes including cosmetology and electronics” – NGO Director

(Above) Our partners’ new vocational training centre, now nearing completion.

(Above) A class of women gather for one of our partners’ entrepreneurship classes in their ‘Be the Change’ Academy.

The goods that our partners received in this shipment have allowed them to expand their operations in a many areas, and have made a real impact on the lives of the beneficiaries that they help. For example, the provision of classroom furniture and new books has allowed their street library programme to increase its number of students by 120 per week and has “reawakened the reading spirit amongst the kids”. Through the expansion of all of their projects, and the support they have been able to provide to schools, our partners estimate that this shipment has directly impacted 4800 people in Liberia, and will continue to provide a benefit to many more in the future.

(Above) Kids enjoy some of the new toys received in this shipment.

Without the support of shipments like this one, it would not be possible for our partners to continue offering the impressive and expansive work that they do. Liberia’s future is brighter as a result of their work, and they are very grateful for these generous donations.

FURTHER IMPACT

“This shipment has given our students a sense of hope, that they too can have access to any opportunity in life.  Children now appear happier at our facilities and much has been done to create a conducive and child friendly environment.  This donation has contributed immensely to our efforts”  – NGO Director

Reference No. S4381

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Uganda: Health, Care and Job Creation

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

Poverty in Uganda is a widespread issue, with almost 40% of the population living on less than US$1.25 per day. Even those in permanent employment are not exempt from the difficulties of poverty as over 50% of workers are regarded as ‘working poor’, earning less than US$3.10 per day. Perpetuating this issue of poverty is a lack of opportunity for young people to develop skills, which makes finding a job a difficult task and contributes to Uganda’s low ranking of 162 out of 189 on the Human Development Index. Compounding these problems further, Uganda is still battling the HIV/Aids epidemic, which presents numerous challenges for often underequipped health centres.

Our NGO partners in the region run a variety of programmes that seek to tackle Uganda’s problems head on. In order to do this, they operate in three main fields: health care, home care and skills training. Since 2006 they have been working to improve health education and awareness in communities, they have been caring for abandoned children and providing shelter to the homeless, and they have been partnering with schools to improve education and empower people with the skills to start their own businesses. In all of these efforts, this shipment has been of invaluable assistance.

“After receiving the shipment many of our challenges were reduced. We were overwhelmed with the items given to us and they have saved us a lot of expenses” – NGO Director

(Above 1st) Gym equipment, which has allowed a new business to flourish in the community, is unloaded upon arrival with our partners. (Above 2nd) Children in our partners’ care receive new toys and games, some of which have been used to improve their daycare facilities.

The goods sent in this shipment have had an amazing impact on the lives of many beneficiaries, improving health, education and providing basic comforts to those who needed them most. Here are just a few examples:

  • Shoes, clothes and bedding have been donated to the homeless and abandoned children in our partners’ care.
  • Neck holders, surgical blades and medical supplies have been provided to a key local health centre.
  • Reading books, stationery and school materials have improved the quality of local classrooms.
  • Gym equipment and food processing equipment have allowed previous unemployed youths to found their own businesses, giving them the ability to provide for their families.

These are just a few examples of the lasting impact that this shipment has had. We, our partners, and the beneficiaries of these goods are sincerely grateful for your support – without it, projects such as this would not be possible.

PHOTOS OF THE GOODS IN USE

“We really appreciate the donations because the shipment has seriously changed the lives and behaviours of many people in our local communities. Literacy levels have increased, health has shown a remarkable improvement, and many children who were not going to school can now go comfortably. Thank you” – NGO Director

Reference No. S4145

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Tanzania: Empowerment for people with disabilities

SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

An estimated 3.5 million people live with a disability in Tanzania. Many of those millions, particularly those below the poverty line, face stigmatisation and are denied equal opportunities. The literacy rate in Tanzania is currently 75%, but for people with disabilities that figure drops to just 52%. Access to education and job opportunities is essential to break out of the poverty cycle. In a nation still struggling towards economic security for all its citizens, those with disabilities are often among the poorest and most marginalised in society.

The shipment which arrived from Crossroads contained goods that gave a real boost to our partners’ project helping people with disabilities gain skills, access education and understand their rights. Their director told us:

“Before the shipment we had a lot of problems, ranging from lack of office tools and stationery, clothes for our members and their children, home materials like beds for some of the disabled, shortage of chairs, tables, school stationeries, and many more.”

The arrival of chairs and other furniture may not seem like a big event, but for our partners, it has meant a great deal.  They no longer have to hire chairs and a table when holding meetings, saving US$ 330 a year.  The school tables are being used for short computer courses, also saving money and being a practical help.

BENEFITS TO THE TAILORING GROUP

The ladies told us:

“Crossroads has brought great change for tailoring group.  We have been provided with sewing materials and lace materials which have helped us to change our mind on special designs of clothing. Customers are wondering how has this change happened?”

The project works hard at training disabled people in skills that empower them to earn a living. 

Office equipment and stationery has meant a saving of US$780, which is very significant for a project of this size.

“With the supply from Crossroads we are assured that we can save the amount up to not less than 30 months without buying some of the office supply, such as printing, folders, staplers and punching machines, office staple pins, paper clips and other office use materials”

For the community’s children, an exciting part of the shipment was large amount of school stationery supplies, like coloured pens and pencils. Eveline was one of those grateful for a donation for her family:

“Through it my family of five children have been given clothes and other materials from the shipment which we have told that comes from Crossroads.  It has been a great challenge to find clothes and school materials for them, but now I have somewhere to start.”

Reference No. S4031

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